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That same courage is alive today on the picket lines of St. Louis, where more than 3,200 proud members of IAM District 837 have been on strike since Aug. 4. They are taking a stand for respect and fairness. (“Boeing, union negotiations on pause until after Labor Day,� Post-Dispatch, Aug. 27.)

These highly skilled men and women build the F-15, the F/A-18, and other advanced defense systems that protect our troops and safeguard our nation. Many are military veterans themselves. These are generational workers. Many are second- or third-generation Boeing employees whose families have built the planes that defend this country for decades. They carry that legacy with pride.

But pride doesn’t pay the bills, and loyalty can’t replace a fair contract.

For too long, Boeing has chased short-term profits at the expense of its long-term reputation — prioritizing billions in stock buybacks and executive compensation while cutting corners and alienating the skilled union workers who built the company’s legacy. The road to restoring trust runs through the factory floor.

Unfortunately, when it came time to negotiate with the workers who actually make Boeing Defense run, the company brought a contract offer to the table that simply wasn’t good enough for our membership. It failed to recognize the value of workers who have been at Boeing for decades.

When I walked the picket lines in St. Louis, I listened to our members and heard what they want in a new contract. Our members at Boeing are standing together for more than just better pay. They’re fighting for work-life balance. They’re fighting for dignity. And they’re fighting for all working people in St. Louis and beyond. When Boeing workers rise, they raise the standard for all aerospace workers and all skilled trades across the country.

We’ve seen what happens when companies refuse to listen. In 2024, our IAM Union siblings at District 751 in Washington state — who build the commercial jets that keep Boeing flying — were forced onto the picket line for eight long weeks. They didn’t want to strike. ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ were pushed into it by the company’s refusal to respect their voice and value. Eventually, they won a strong contract, but it came at a cost — to workers, to Boeing’s reputation, and to its production schedule.

We don’t have to go down that same path here.

We have made it clear that our members at IAM District 837 are ready to return to the bargaining table. We want to get back to building jets. But we won’t do it without a contract that reflects our members’ value and the importance of their work.

At the heart of this fight is union democracy. Our members are the ones who decide their future — not the company, not politicians, not IAM Union leadership, not anyone else. The members voted to reject Boeing’s offer. They voted to strike. And they’ll decide when the terms are right to return. That’s what it means to be in a union. That’s what it means to have a voice.

We ask the St. Louis community to stand with IAM District 837. Our members are your neighbors, your friends, your family. They’re not out there for themselves alone — they’re fighting for the dignity of all working people. When they win, we all win.

To Boeing: Don’t make the same mistake twice. Don’t push your defense workforce into a prolonged strike. Don’t delay what you know must be done. Come back to the table with a serious offer. Choose partnership over profits. Choose respect over resistance.

To our members: Stand strong. You’ve already shown the power of solidarity. You’ve already made history. And together, we’ll bring home a contract that honors your work, your sacrifice, and your voice.